A public-private partnership between Cisco, the City of Los Angeles, Destination Crenshaw, the California Community Foundation and Digital Equity LA have unveiled a new community Wi-Fi initiative that will provide free internet access along major streets, parks and public gathering places in LA’s historic Crenshaw Corridor.
The public-private partnership, dubbed the Crenshaw Community Connectivity Pilot, comes after years of collaboration across government, industry, and nonprofits working together.
According to the partners, the Wi-Fi accessibility will benefit not only South Los Angeles residents and businesses but also supports people who visit the city for major events and celebrations.
In partnership with Destination Crenshaw and Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL) installed 1.5 miles of underground fiber optic cable stretching from Leimert Park Plaza to the Hyde Park Metro Station.
Building on top of existing city-owned street lighting assets, BSL worked with Cisco to deploy cloud-managed Cisco outdoor access points and Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB), enabling the free Wi-Fi at public spaces along the corridor.
URWB ensures ultra-secure, ultra-reliable connectivity in areas where fiber is still being rolled out. The Crenshaw Community Connectivity Pilot public-private partnership offers internet access across the Crenshaw Corridor and benefits residents, businesses and visitors to the Crenshaw, Hyde Park, Park Mesa and Leimert Park neighborhoods.
“Cisco’s purpose is to power an inclusive future for all, and expanding internet access directly translates to educational and economic opportunity,” Gary DePreta, Cisco senior vice president for U.S. public sector, said in a prepared statement about program. “This initiative not only helps bridge the digital divide but sets LA up with the connectivity platform needed for future public sector innovation.”
Public-private partnerships offer a popular way to add Wi-Fi access in underserved areas. Recently, Altice, which offers broadband and video service under the Optimum brand, announced it would invest $4.4 million to upgrade Tyler, Texas’ emergency and government infrastructure with a fiber network, continuing a 15-year partnership with the city, the company announced this week.
